New Antrim football manager P J O'Hare has remained optimistic about the county's future despite Sunday's defeat to Tyrone.

In their first competitive game of the year, Antrim found themselves two goals down inside three minutes, both scored by Owen Mulligan.

By half-time the Saffrons had scored just three points but they rallied in the second period and eventually lost 3-16 to 2-8 in the fog-bound encounter at Coalisland.

Manager O'Hare said there was no need to be despondent after just one game.

"It was a rough baptism for us," said O'Hare.

Antrim lost to Tyrone in the Dr McKenna Cup

"It was our first competitive county game whereas Tyrone had a game last Sunday which would have been an advantage for them.

"If you look at the first half scoreline, when we came in 12 points down, you would have thought they played us off the park.

"But that was not the case - I felt the possession had been 50-50.

"But we were not as effective as they were with the ball, especially up front.

"That is something we are going to have to work on in the coming weeks in the National League and through into the championship."

Tyrone now play Cavan in the semi-finals of the McKenna Cup ay Breffni Park on Sunday 26 January.

The Red Hand manager Mickey Harte was pleased with Mulligan's tally of 2-3, all scored in a 20-minute first half blitz.

"Often when you carve out chances they are not put away," said Harte.

Paidi O Se: At loggerheads with O'Keeffe

"But when you give them to Owen Mulligan inside 20 metres he shows what a great finisher he is."

Meanwhile, there is speculation that the row which has gripped Kerry football in recent weeks could be nearing a resolution.

The Kerry county board have called a press conference for Tralee on Monday evening.

Team boss Paidi O Se and squad trainer John O'Keeffe have been at loggerheads in recent weeks following comments made by the manager in a newspaper interview.

However, O Se and O'Keeffe met to discuss the issue on Sunday and it is thought that progress was made.

The full Kerry management team also met with members of the county board executive in Tralee on Sunday.

The controversy arose after O Se had described Kerry fans as "animals" in the newspaper interview while he also appeared to cast doubts on O'Keeffe's abilities as a trainer.